WCB Deadlines That Can Cost You Your Claim (2026)

Miss a workers' compensation deadline and you could lose everything—your benefits, your appeal rights, even your entire claim.

In Ontario, you have just 30 days to appeal a WSIB decision. In BC, you get 90 days to request a review, then only 30 days to escalate to WCAT. These deadlines are strictly enforced. No exceptions.

This guide lists every critical deadline for WSIB (Ontario) and WorkSafeBC (British Columbia), plus proven strategies to make sure you never miss one.

Why Deadlines Matter

Workers' compensation boards enforce deadlines strictly:

• Late claims may be denied or delayed
• Missed appeal windows can mean losing your right to challenge a decision
• Late evidence might not be considered

The good news: most deadlines are clearly stated in decision letters. The key is tracking them and acting before they pass.

Ontario (WSIB) Key Deadlines

Important Notes for Ontario

• The 30-day ARO deadline is short—mark it immediately when you receive a decision
• WSIAT has discretion to accept late appeals in some circumstances, but don't count on it
• The 6-month claim filing deadline is a maximum—file as soon as possible after injury

British Columbia (WorkSafeBC) Key Deadlines

Important Notes for BC

• The 90-day Review Division deadline is your window to challenge any WorkSafeBC decision
• After the Review Division, you only have 30 days to appeal to WCAT
• Late appeals to WCAT are rarely accepted—treat this deadline as firm

Tips for Tracking Deadlines

1. Mark Deadlines Immediately

As soon as you receive a decision letter:

• Find the deadline (usually stated in the letter)
• Mark it on your calendar
• Set reminders for 2 weeks before, 1 week before, and 3 days before

2. Build in Buffer Time

Don't wait until the last day. Aim to submit:

• Appeals: at least 1 week before the deadline
• Evidence: as early as possible
• Forms: within days, not weeks

3. Keep Proof of Submission

When you submit anything:

• Save confirmation emails or receipts
• Note the date, time, and method of submission
• Keep copies of everything you send

4. Use a Tracking System

Whether it's a calendar app, spreadsheet, or dedicated tool, have a system:

• List all upcoming deadlines
• Check it regularly
• Update as you complete actions

What If You Miss a Deadline?

If you've missed a deadline, don't give up immediately:

1. Contact the board immediately – Explain your situation
2. Document the reason – If there was a legitimate barrier, explain it
3. Submit anyway – Late submissions are sometimes accepted
4. Get help – A representative may be able to assist with extension requests

Appeal tribunals (WSIAT, WCAT) have limited discretion to extend deadlines, but it's not guaranteed.

Never Miss Another Deadline

You're dealing with an injury, medical appointments, maybe lost income—the last thing you need is to miss a deadline because it slipped through the cracks.

ClaimNexus tracks your deadlines automatically:

• Visual claim timeline – See every key date at a glance
• Automatic alerts – Get reminders before deadlines hit
• Province-specific tracking – Works for both Ontario and BC
• Document organization – Evidence ready when you need it

Missing a deadline can cost you your claim. Don't let that happen.

Start tracking your deadlines →

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This guide covers deadlines for WSIB (Ontario) and WorkSafeBC (BC). Other provinces have their own timelines—check with your provincial board for specific requirements.